The family may have changed their surname upon arrival, as Julia's obituary states her birth name was Petres, and no trace of her father or siblings has been found after their arrival in the U.S. Julia's mother Harriet came to live with Julia and her family sometime between 1850 and 1860, and continued to live with Julia until after the 1870 census, when presumably she passed away.
Julia's later life was very difficult. Her husband and oldest and youngest sons died within a year of each other after the family moved to Michigan in 1863. To support the family, her daughter Mary Louise worked as a housekeeper, and her sons Charles Henry and Joseph worked in the shingle mills, only attending school when there was no work. Louisa was 12, Henry was 11, and Joseph was 9.
Probably in an attempt to better the family's lives, she married William R. Anderson in 1866, but the marriage did not last, and they were living apart by 1870. In 1881, Julia's youngest daughter, also named Julia, died after ingesting morphine she bought at a pharmacy.
Julia suffered for many years from debilitating emotional and physical illnesses, culminating in amputation of a leg before she died.
From the Whitehall Forum:
April 6, 1905 Thursday - Page 1 - Col. 5
Julia Petres LaVille was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, December 6, 1831 (sic), and died in Whitehall, Mich. March 29, 1905, aged 73 years, 3 months and 23 days.
When twelve years old, she came to America and was married to Joseph LaVille in Masland (Massilon), Ohio, at the age of eighteen. Of this union seven children were born, four of whom survive her; Mrs. George H. Nelson of Whitehall, C. H. LaVille of Shelby, Mich., Miss Josie LaVille of Chicago and Joseph LaVille of Newbury, Mich.
She and her family came to Whitehall in 1863 where for all those years she was known and loved.
In the inscrutable providence of almighty God, she was permitted to be the victim of much suffering for over thirty years, the last five of which she was confined to her room.
Through all she was able to say to her God, "Thy will be done". Here was a superhuman faith. The offspring of the skies and unfailing friend of every heir of grace. Such faith can convert darkness into day and sorrow into joy.
The funeral service was conducted by George A. Oldlum at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Nelson, where she lived and died, and was attended by many of her friends as well as by all her surviving children, who with the loving hands ever sought the relief of her sufferings and with deep devotion laid her to rest in the village cemetery to await the resurrection when pain and sickness will vanish forever.
The family may have changed their surname upon arrival, as Julia's obituary states her birth name was Petres, and no trace of her father or siblings has been found after their arrival in the U.S. Julia's mother Harriet came to live with Julia and her family sometime between 1850 and 1860, and continued to live with Julia until after the 1870 census, when presumably she passed away.
Julia's later life was very difficult. Her husband and oldest and youngest sons died within a year of each other after the family moved to Michigan in 1863. To support the family, her daughter Mary Louise worked as a housekeeper, and her sons Charles Henry and Joseph worked in the shingle mills, only attending school when there was no work. Louisa was 12, Henry was 11, and Joseph was 9.
Probably in an attempt to better the family's lives, she married William R. Anderson in 1866, but the marriage did not last, and they were living apart by 1870. In 1881, Julia's youngest daughter, also named Julia, died after ingesting morphine she bought at a pharmacy.
Julia suffered for many years from debilitating emotional and physical illnesses, culminating in amputation of a leg before she died.
From the Whitehall Forum:
April 6, 1905 Thursday - Page 1 - Col. 5
Julia Petres LaVille was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, December 6, 1831 (sic), and died in Whitehall, Mich. March 29, 1905, aged 73 years, 3 months and 23 days.
When twelve years old, she came to America and was married to Joseph LaVille in Masland (Massilon), Ohio, at the age of eighteen. Of this union seven children were born, four of whom survive her; Mrs. George H. Nelson of Whitehall, C. H. LaVille of Shelby, Mich., Miss Josie LaVille of Chicago and Joseph LaVille of Newbury, Mich.
She and her family came to Whitehall in 1863 where for all those years she was known and loved.
In the inscrutable providence of almighty God, she was permitted to be the victim of much suffering for over thirty years, the last five of which she was confined to her room.
Through all she was able to say to her God, "Thy will be done". Here was a superhuman faith. The offspring of the skies and unfailing friend of every heir of grace. Such faith can convert darkness into day and sorrow into joy.
The funeral service was conducted by George A. Oldlum at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Nelson, where she lived and died, and was attended by many of her friends as well as by all her surviving children, who with the loving hands ever sought the relief of her sufferings and with deep devotion laid her to rest in the village cemetery to await the resurrection when pain and sickness will vanish forever.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement